Experts wary of shrinking population

With China's population expected to begin shrinking in the next 10 years, more research should be done to prepare for the challenges caused by a rapidly aging population and a dwindling workforce, according to demographic experts.

"The decrease will result in accelerated changes of the population's structure, and the problems of an aging population will become prominent," said Zhai Zhenwu, president of the China Population Association. "An increasing number of people that need to be taken care of will have an impact on economic development."

China's population will peak at 1.44 billion by 2029 and then start decreasing, even if the fertility rate rises slightly, according to a report released by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences in early January.